Frequently Asked Questions
You ask. We answer.
Q: What is a children's museum?
A: Children's museums are not just a collection of objects. Instead, children's museums emphasize interactive learning. Specially-designed exhibits allow visitors to explore educational subjects in a fun environment where touch and manipulation are encouraged.
Unlike more traditional museums, children's museums are lively, family-friendly places where kids learn through play. Currently, there are 243 children's museums in the United States, according to the Association of Children's Museums. Children's museums are the fastest growing segment of the museum industry.
CMR board member Megan Malugani shares her thoughts on why Rochester needs a children's museum.
Other Children's Museums:
Minnesota Children's Museum (St. Paul)
Children's Museum of La Crosse
Duluth Children's Museum
The Association of Children's Museums
Q: Why does Rochester need a children's museum?
A: A Children's Museum of Rochester will not only benefit children and parents, but will also promote the economic growth and vitality of the entire community. The museum will attract visitors to Rochester, which will be good for local businesses, and will serve as a fun and educational destination for families who are already visiting the city.
Research shows that a children's museum would be well-received and self-sustaining. A survey of area residents conducted on behalf of CMR in 2008 showed that 81 percent of respondents felt there was a need for a museum in town. The survey also projected that the museum will draw more than 40,000 visitors annually from a 50-mile radius around Rochester.
Last but not least, a children's museum would enhance Rochester's already-strong image as a great place to raise kids!
CMR Board President Scott Liebl explains why Rochester is the perfect place for a Children's Museum.
Q: When will the Children's Museum of Rochester be open?
A: We hope to be open in 2010. Our goal is to secure a location by Fall, 2009, hire an Executive Director in Fall, 2009, and open to the public in 2010.
Q: Where will the Children's Museum of Rochester be located?
A: We don't know yet, but we continue to narrow down our options. The Board of Directors has decided to house the museum in an existing building rather than constructing a new one, and we’ve investigated buildings all over town. Through our research, we've determined that the most successful children's museums are housed in buildings that were donated or made available for a bargain. That is our hope! If you have any ideas on a possible home for the Children's Museum of Rochester, please email us at info@childrensmuseumrochester.org.
Q: Have you considered putting the museum in the vacant building across the street from Apache Mall where Linens-N-Things and Cost Plus World Market used to be located?
A: Many people have suggested that we use this space, and we appreciate the suggestion. Unfortunately, renting or buying this highly-valuable commercial space would be cost-prohibitive.
Q: Who is involved in this project?
A: Our Board of Directors includes a diverse list of community leaders, employers, and parents with backgrounds in education, business, finance, technology, law, communications, and marketing. We've also amassed an extensive list of individual volunteers and business supporters who've made donations in kind to our cause.
CMR would like to recognize the following individuals and businesses who've made in-kind gifts:
- Adam Ferrari of Holabird & Root
- Augsburg College - Rochester MBA program (David Conrad)
- BB's Pizzaria
- Corporate Web Services
- Countryside Storage
- Dunlap & Seeger Law Firm
- IBM Corporation
- KROC
- Michael Kobler
- Olive Juice Studios, olivejuicestudios.com
- Rochester magazine
- Rochester Women magazine
- Tracy McCray
- Weis Builders
- Yaggy Colby & Associates
Q: How can I get involved in this project?
A: Sign up as a volunteer through our website. If you’d prefer to donate, you can do that online, too. Thank you for your willingness to help!
Q: What kind of volunteer opportunities exist with the Children’s Museum of Rochester?
A: Common volunteer opportunities in our start-up phase may include:
- Helping set up and/or man a CMR booth at an event like RochesterFest
- Completing administrative tasks like stuffing envelopes
- Helping with the construction of exhibits
Just plain showing up for CMR fundraising events is a great way to offer your support, too!
Q: Who is going to pay for the Children's Museum of Rochester?
A: We are hoping to receive donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations when our fundraising campaign begins. (We expect to begin our fundraising campaign in late 2009 and it will last for six to 12 months.) We also expect that local, state, and federal grants could be an additional source of funding. Once the museum is operational, we expect admission sales, museum shop sales, events, and party rentals to supplement the grants and fundraising.
Q: How can I donate to the Children's Museum of Rochester?
A: You can donate through the website, or mail a donation to:
Children’s Museum of Rochester
P.O. Box 6681
Rochester, MN 55901.
Q: What kinds of exhibits will be in the Children’s Museum of Rochester?
A: The exhibits will depend on the size and layout of the building in which the museum is housed.
Some examples of possible exhibits include:
- Community Works and Construction Zone: A “mini-Rochester,” this exhibit will include replicas of our many shops, restaurants, and natural resources. The exhibit will provide role-playing opportunities and promote a healthy environment.
- Sir Isaac’s ComMOTION: This exhibit will allow students to experiment with the laws of motion with the help of simple machines.
- Medical Exhibit (yet to be named): This exhibit will help kids understand how their bodies work and will promote a healthy lifestyle.
While we search for a permanent site and raise funds for major exhibits, we have created a traveling mini-exhibit, titled "CMR Under Construction," that teaches kids about construction by giving them the opportunity to paint walls with water, connect circuits to make a doorbell ring, lay magnetic tile, learn about balance and weight with dump trucks, and much more.
CMR’s exhibit philosophy is founded on the belief that learning is child’s play. Our goal is to cultivate learning by inspiring children’s natural creativity and imagination, arousing their curiosity and encouraging exploration in a safe, fun, and interactive environment.
Each of the CMR exhibits will be guided by the following principles:
- Exhibits will be rich in education. Exhibits will complement school curriculum and enhance early childhood development while fostering a passion and learning through hands-on and interactive exploration and discovery.
- Each exhibit will support a variety of learning styles and ability levels.
- Bright, colorful exhibits will be designed to stimulate the senses, without being overwhelming.
- Exhibits will promote children’s natural curiosity and assist them in discovering answers to questions about themselves and the world around them.
Besides exhibits, the campus will include a museum store and party room.
Q: How much will admission and membership fees cost?
A: Although no final decisions have been made, we project the cost of admission to the Children’s Museum of Rochester to be $4 for kids and seniors, and $5 for adults (less than the cost of a movie!). We also will have reduced rates and programs for disadvantaged families. We project an annual membership for a family of four will cost $50.